WARDC Meets Policy Makers, CSOs, Proffers Intervention On Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, STOP Framework In Osun
By Abisola Ariwodola,
Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) met with policy makers, and other stakeholders on the improvement of accountability by the state and federal government, STOP legal framework and access to SRHR of adolescents girls and women.
The organisation which opined that adolescents must know what Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right, SRHR is and how they must be able to advocate about it for themselves, held its high level round table meeting with the policy makers, co-hosted by the Ministry of Women Affairs at the Conference hall of Royal Continental Hotel, Osogbo on Tuesday.
According to WARDC, the implementation of STOP guidelines and usage of valid legal framework of the law, will increase awareness of SRHR among Adolescent girls and community platforms through virtual and physical networks, and bring advocacies to support the ongoing SRHR sensitization in Nigeria.
It stated that the STOP guidelines approved by the Federal Government exist in Osun state, but it is not very effective, that gaps which women and adolescents are facing on SRHR can’t be denied, pinpointed that abortion is one of the factors that leads to high maternal deaths in the state.
“People do abortions, but we as a state policy makers and stakeholders must strive to achieve safe abortions that will save lives, to take actions on achieving effective implementation of the STOP guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Adolescents and Women in Osun.”
In her special remarks, the Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Hon Mrs Ayobola Awolowo welcomed the WARDC initiative, saying we are honored about the sexual and reproductive health organised in the interest of female adolescents and women in Osun state.
She affirmed that the WARDC dialogue is not only about policy, but about the dignity, right and future of the target beneficiaries, especially women, young people and the vulnerable.
Adding that this is a reminder that access to quality sexual and reproductive health services is not a privilege but a fundamental rights for sustainable development, the Commissioner maintained that “together we will change the future of communities with opportunities and access which will lead to transformative actions.”
The guest speakers of the roundtable meeting, Dr.(Mrs) Afolabi Opeyemi, a researcher on Maternal and Reproductive Health, Senior Lecturer Department of Nursing Science, Adeleke University Ede Nigeria, who spoke on Maternal Health Management in Osun state, and Dr Akintunde Fehintola of OAUTH (Osun SOGON Co-Ordinator), who spoke on Benefit and Merit of the STOP Guidelines and need for more commitment by the
government, highlighted the rudiments of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
They opined that Nigeria is one of the topmost nation dealing with high maternal mortality rate, adding that Adolescents and Women approach quacks and chemists that apply drugs or carry out unsafe abortion that leads to complications or even death. Stated that having access to safe abortions or termination of risky pregnancies can actually save lifes.
Urging stakeholders to shun assumption of leaving adolescents out of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights process because of culture, norms and religion, they maintained that today’s adolescent are sexually active, hence sensitising them on safety of contraceptives, safe abortions and healthy living, remove stigma around their reproductive health issues and sustain advocacy impact that enhances access to safe termination of pregnancy services.
Also at the high level round table meeting, Osun Speaker, Rt. Hon Adewale Egbedun, was represented at the discussion by Chairman House Committee on Youth Hon Abiodun Awoyeye, Chairman House Committee on Women Hon. Biodun Ibrahim Afeez, who is also the Assembly Deputy Chief Whip, and Chairman House Committee on Health Hon. Prince Dr. Kasope Ajibade Abolarin.
The state House of Assembly members, lauded the insightful discussion which they described as a key in the process of achieving the objectives of the organisation for the safety benefits of the lives of female adolescents and women in Osun state.
They assured the group of their commitment, adding that as policy makers, the STOP guidelines and legal frameworks will be reviewed with the line ministries to make it effective, and public hearing will be put up to drive home the demand of accountability, and improving access to SRHR in the state communities.
Other stakeholders in attendance at the high level roundtable include the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr. Isiaka Adekunle, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs Children and Social Welfare Mrs Abimbola Babatunde, Director Public Health Ministry of Health Dr Hakeem Bello, Director Gender MoWaCSW Mrs Lola Adewale, Desk Officers Hospital Management Board, State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Civil Society Organisations among others.
WARDC has Observatory working groups in six states across Nigeria, where the STOP guidelines is existing such, Anambra, Gombe, Ogun ,Jigawa, Akwa Ibom and Osun state, aimed at strengthening the collective efforts of stakeholders and what can be done to achieve same results, as well as advocating for the development and domestication of the STOP guideline, while also promoting the review of existing laws and policies that hinders access to safe abortions.